New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Friday expressed strong displeasure with the Centre for not specifying a clear timeline to fill vacant posts in the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), including those of chairperson and members.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia noted that it had earlier directed the government to submit an affidavit detailing the schedule for completing the appointments. However, the court found the response inadequate and lacking clarity on timelines.

The judges directed a deputy secretary from the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to explain within two weeks why the required details were not provided. Criticising the affidavit, the bench remarked that it failed to indicate any concrete timeframe and suggested the court’s order had not been taken seriously. The court even indicated that the concerned officialscould be summoned to explain the lapse.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma was told that the affidavit merely stated that the appointment process had been initiated and that nominations and biodata were under review, without offering any definite schedule.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 3. Earlier, on February 6, the court had asked the Centre to file a more comprehensive affidavit after describing its previous status report as vague and insufficient. It had also raised concerns on January 30 over the commission remaining without a chairperson or members since April last year.

The case stems from a public interest litigation filed by Mujahid Nafees, who alleged that the prolonged vacancies have effectively rendered the NCM non-functional. In his plea, Nafees argued that the absence of appointments has crippled a key statutory body meant to safeguard the rights and welfare of minority communities.

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The petition urged the government to promptly complete the appointment process for the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and members in a transparent and time-bound manner, ideally within four weeks, in accordance with the relevant law.